When I've lost power in the past I have thought to myself, "should I take the food out of the fridge and stick it in the snow to save it?" Well, the USDA has answered that question...
With most of the country dealing with cold weather, some parts are experiencing power outages, the USDA doesn't think it's a good idea to take your food out of the fridge and put it in the snow to keep it cold.
There is a whole section about this on the USDA website. Someone asked, "A snowstorm knocked down the power lines, can I put the food from the refrigerator and freezer out in the snow?"
The answer is "no" for many reasons. First, the sun's rays could thaw out the food even if it's freezing outside. Also, temperature levels might vary, and that could compromise the food. Don't forget; there are all kinds of bugs and animals that can also get into your vittles.
So what do you do if your power goes out and you don't want to lose your stocked fridge? Don't panic! A refrigerator can hold its temperature for four hours if unopened. A full freezer can maintain coldness for 48 hours. You could also get some dry or block ice to put inside. How about placing a bucket or bowl of water outside to let it freeze and then putting that inside the refrigerator? That can also work.